Court Grants Activist Olamide Thomas N10m Bail for ‘Insulting’ Seyi Tinubu, IGP Egbetokun

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Olamide Thomas, an activist accused of issuing threats via social media to Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria’s President and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.

Justice Emeka Nwite approved bail of ₦10 million on Monday, with one surety required in the same amount. In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to suggest Thomas would either flee or interfere with her trial. The case has been adjourned to February 18, 2025, for trial.

Thomas, who has been a vocal critic of police misconduct since the #EndSARS protests in 2020, was arraigned on December 20, 2024. She pleaded not guilty to three counts of cyberbullying and was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre until her bail hearing.

The charges stemmed from a viral video Thomas posted on social media, in which she made remarks in Yoruba directed at Seyi Tinubu, Egbetokun, and Police Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.

Thomas’ lawyer, Seprebofa Oyeghe, represented her during the proceedings. The activist has consistently maintained her innocence, describing the charges as a targeted attempt to silence her for her activism.

Thomas has been a strong voice against police misconduct, especially since the October 20, 2024, rally at the Lekki tollgate commemorating the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests. She was arrested at the rally and later alleged police brutality, claiming officers stole her money and destroyed her phone during her detention.

The viral video that led to her arrest was reportedly recorded after her release. In November 2024, Thomas accused the force PRO Adejobi of orchestrating her arrest through the Intelligence Response Team, saying she was being targeted for her critical social media posts about police misconduct.

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